The 8 Diet Mistakes Women Make Most

New York City nutritionist Stephanie Middleberg, R.D., has seen and heard some doozies from women trying to lose weight. Avoiding these diets that don't work can help you ditch the unwanted pounds, easy.

Eating Large Portions

Eating Large Portions

A lot of women I see trying to lose weight and being unsuccessful at it aren't sitting in their cubicles eating junk food — instead, they are dieting their way up the scale, devouring huge chopped salads for lunch (it takes a lot of dressing to cover a trough of veggies) or eating multiple 100-calorie snacks packs. Even overeating "healthy" foods can sabotage your weight-loss goals. Large portions not only leave you feeling tired and bloated but also expand your stomach, so it takes more and more food to keep you feeling feel full. That's why the "leave a little food on your plate" rule is an oldie but a goodie, especially when you're eating out.

Giving Up After One Splurge

Giving Up After One Splurge

Too many people think, "Well, I messed up on one meal, so what's the point of sticking to my diet?" Then they attack the refrigerator or keep on indulging all day, all week, all month. One indulgent meal isn't a problem — it's regularly eating that way that is. In fact, I encourage all my clients to have at least one splurge weekly. The idea is to get comfortable having a slice or two of pizza at a work event or with your kids on a Friday night and realize that it isn't a reason to throw in the towel.